“We don’t want to see any rattler,” piped Chunky.  “I’d snip his head off with my pistol if I caught sight of him.”

“Yes, you would!” grinned Tad.

“You’d have to learn to shoot first,” scoffed Rector.

“Perhaps Captain McKay will give us some lessons in revolver shooting,” suggested Tad.

“From what I hear I guess you boys are pretty handy with both rifle and pistol as it is.  However, if there are any drawing or sighting tricks I can show you I’ll be glad to do so.”

“Thank you.  If we are where it is safe we will ask you to make good that promise to-morrow,” declared Tad Butler.

While they were preparing the supper that night the Rangers whom the captain had sent out on a scouting expedition rode into camp, tired and gloomy.  It was a personal and keen disappointment to every man of them that some ruffian hadn’t shot at him once during the ride.  Not once had the Rangers’ weapons been out of their holsters.  Whatever their mission the men merely shook their heads in reply to a questioning glance from their commander.  That was all.  No words were wasted in explanations.  The captain knew that his men had done their work thoroughly.  No explanations were necessary.  This perfect confidence and understanding between commander and men was not lost on Tad Butler.  It was an object lesson that made a deep impression on him.

The men had returned with sharp edges on their appetites, but they ate in silence.  Stacy had little to say at dinner.  He was observing the Rangers with wide eyes, stuffing his cheeks with food and listening while the professor, Tad Butler and Captain McKay discussed a variety of subjects.

“I don’t understand why Joe hasn’t come in, boys,” said the captain finally.  “He had passed Tonka Gulch at four o’clock this afternoon.  He should have arrived here a long time ago.”

The men nodded.

“Perhaps he’s come up with Withem,” suggested Cad Morgan.

“I don’t think so.  The lieutenant isn’t due there until some time to-morrow.  He will have to finish investigating the El Paso end before he can come along and join up with us.”

Tad wondered how the captain knew that his scout had reached a certain point in the mountains when none had seen him or heard from him.  But there were many mysteries connected with the work of these brave men.  They worked in mysterious ways that added to the awe in which they were held by those whose ways were dark.

The night was warm and soon after supper the Rangers threw themselves down on the ground wrapped in their blankets.  In view of the fact that the whole party might be called out all turned in early.  The men had barely closed their eyes when suddenly there sounded the menacing hiss of a rattler right among them.

“Look out!” yelled Polly, jumping up.

“What is it?” cried half a dozen voices, as their owners sprang up with drawn weapons.